A few things from this past weekend for parents and coaches to take note of:
1. Catcher's masks must have a separately attached dangling throat protector (parents, managers and coaches work together and make sure that each mask has the throat protector attached).
2. More than one player is not allowed outside the dugout swinging a bat before the game or between innings.. (Managers and coaches talk to your players about this.)
3. Players are not allowed to go in to the bullpens and act as an on deck hitter while standing in the bullpen.
4. Younger and older siblings of players are NOT allowed in the dugout or bullpen area. Only the 12 players, the manager and the coaches are allowed in the dugout or bullpen area. (Parents and coaching staffs work together on this.)
5. If the catcher is not ready we need a manager or coach out of the dugout getting the pitcher warmed up. We had several inning changeovers that were in the 3-4 minute range. The rulebook allows for 1 minute. Though I think one minute would be great it probably isn't doable. Realistically 1:30 to 2:00 should be the time it takes to change over between half innings. Some of this is on the umpires too and they will hear about it as well. Those early season games at Perkins especially need to be played with pace if we expect to get the full six innings in.
6. Any player involved in a Greenville Little League hitting activity MUST WEAR A HELMET. This includes batting practice on the field or in the cages. (Parents, remind your players of this. Coaches remind anybody who may be throwing BP that players must have a helmet on when taking BP.)
All 264 Challenge games being held in Greenville and all Commissioner's Challenge games will be at Stallings Stadium at Elm Street Park. Players are expected to be in full uniform for both the 264 Challenge games and the Commissioner's Challenge games.
264 Challenge and Commissioner's Challenge (Greenville teams not participating in 264 Challenge) batting practice
Batting Practice Arrangements (Elm Street Cages, 1 cage per team, Teams may use cages whenever they want to (no more than two hours) before the game, remember, it's 1 cage per team unless opposing managers make other arrangements with each other. For the 264 Challenge the "host" team will be the home team.
Wednesday, March 27 - 5:30 - Commissioner's Challenge - Brown & Wood (visitor) vs. Physicians East (home)
Wednesday, March 27 - 7:30 - Commissioner's Challenge - Host Lions Club (visitor) vs. East Carolina Auto & Truck Center (home)
Thursday, March 28 - 5:30 - 264 Challenge - Greenlight (Wilson) vs. Optimist (Greenville)
Thursday, March 28 - 7:30 - 264 Challenge - Creech's Plumbing (Wilson) vs. Jarman Auto Sales (Greenville)
Friday, March 29 - 5:30 - 264 Challenge - North Carolina Baseball Museum (Wilson) vs. Pepsi Cola (Greenville)
Friday, March 29 - 7:30 - 264 Challenge - Farris & Thomas (Wilson) vs. Coca Cola (Greenville)
Saturday, March 30 - 10:00 - Commissioner's Challenge - Carolina Windows & Doors (visitor) vs. Kiwanis (home)
Saturday, March 30 - 12:00 - Commissioner's Challenge - Ross Orthodontics (visitor) vs. RE/MAX (home)
ALL TEAMS TRAVELING TO WILSON FOR THE 264 CHALLENGE SEE TROY BLASER WHEN YOU GET THERE. HE HAS PLENTY OF PLACES FOR YOU TO HIT SO HITTING WON'T BE A PROBLEM IN WILSON. ALL TEAMS TRAVELING TO WILSON WILL BE THE "VISITING" TEAM.
PITCH COUNTERS, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
Greenville teams are asked to provide one pitch counter to count pitches for both teams in the 264 Challenge. Each team will be asked to provide 1 pitch counter to count pitches for the Commissioner's Challenge
264 Challenge Rules (For those of you participating in the 264 Challenge) PLEASE READ THESE RULES CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THEM SO THAT THE GAMES RUN SMOOTHLY..
264 Challenge Rules (Scroll down to see the Commissioner's Challenge rules.)
Little League Rules with the following modifications
1. 50 max pitch count per player (may go over to finish a batter per Little League Rules)
2. Teams must bat all players including subs (Ex. 11 players show, all 11 players bat) (In case of injury, illness, or ejection player in lineup will be skipped, no out recorded)
3. Free substitution defensively
4. MANDATORY PLAY: A player must play 3 defensive half innings
5. Mercy Rule - 15 runs after 5 innings
6. No special pinch runners
7. Uncaught third strikes are automatic outs in Greenville games. Uncaught third strikes in Wilson the batter may try and advance unless first base is occupied with less than two outs.
8. Host City teams are home teams.
9. Troy Blaser (Wilson) and Brian Weingartz (Greenville) have the right to rule on any point not specifically covered under these modifications.
Commissioner's Challenge Rules
1. Greenville Little League Regular Season Rules in effect.(MANAGERS AND COACHES MUST REMAIN IN DUGOUT WHEN ON DEFENSE. WHEN ON OFFENSE THE DUGOUT COACH MUST REMAIN IN THE DUGOUT WHILE THE OTHER TWO COACHES COACH A BASE.
2. Some games may have a generous time limit placed upon them. If this is the case the managers will be informed before the game.